The Ekiti State Police Command has been instructed to raid all vulcaniser shops within its jurisdiction and seize any unused tyres.
This directive is in preparation for the planned nationwide protests set to begin on August 1, 2024, under the hashtag ‘#EndBadGovernanceinNigeria,’ which has gained significant traction on social media.
A police wireless message, widely circulated on social media and addressed to Divisional Police Officers (DPOs) and various units, warns that any DPO whose area experiences burn fires during the protests will face sanctions.
The notice, titled “Order and Directives Re: Nationwide Protest Against End Bad Government in Nigeria,” states, “In view of the Inspector General of Police Conference/briefing with Assistant Inspector General of Police zones and Commissioners of Police in all the states on the above subject, the Commissioner of Police directs you to go out in the midnight, raid vulcaniser shops in your AOR, seize all unused tyres, and dispose of them to prevent protesters from using them to set fires on the highway. Any DPO in whose AOR burn fires occur will be sanctioned accordingly. All to ensure strict compliance, please.”
When contacted, the Public Relations Officer of the Ekiti State Command, Sunday Abutu, explained that the directive became necessary due to an intelligence report indicating that some miscreants plan to disturb the peace and movement of innocent citizens in the coming days using available and unused tyres on the street.
He added, “Peaceful protest is part of the rights of all citizens, but protests characterized by threats, bloodshed, and destruction of property and lives of innocent citizens are unacceptable.”
The Presidency, police, and military have all warned against the protest, citing the need for the nation to heal from the #EndSARS protest.
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